Zulfikarabad city: Navy to survey underwater land

Land survey commissioned by the president seeks details on why the coastal area came underwater.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Navy will conduct a survey of underwater land at the site of Zulfikarabad city and the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has also been asked to furnish maps of the coastal belt.

This was discussed at a meeting of the governing body of Zulfikarabad Development Authority (ZDA) held at Chief Minister House on Tuesday.

The land survey details were commissioned by President Zardari, who asked the authorities to present details with the situation prior to 1996 and after 1997, since most of the coastal belt area came underwater since 1997, said ZDA managing director Fazalur Rehman, who is also a former Sindh chief secretary. The government has released Rs90 million to the authority but it needs an additional Rs57 million, he said.

The participants also approved a proposal for the minimum required staff, machinery and essential vehicles, etc, for the authority. The managing director has also been empowered to use the approved budgetary expenditure. A conceptual master plan will be prepared from reputed firms and competitive bidders and an advertisement will be published within 15 days. A ceremony will also take place soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 9^th, 2011.